Vacuum cleaner nozzle with adjustable brush



April 12., 1960 J. A. KEMPER VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE WITH ADJUSTABLE BRUSHFiled Dec. 16. 1957 FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

JOHN A. KEMPER ATTORNEYS United States Patent John A. Kemper, Cleveland,Ohio, assignor to The Scott & Fetzer Company, Cleveland, Ohio, :1corporation of Ohio Application December 1 6, 1957, Serial No. 703,046

8 Claims. (Cl. 15371) This invention relates to a suction cleaning tool,and particularly to a suction cleaning tool wherein a brush isadjustably positioned with respect to the working face of the tool andin the suction path. This invention is particularly applicable tosuction nozzles commonly utilized in connection with vacuum cleaners.

Much work has been done to develop a satisfactory arrangement for themounting of a brush in a suction nozzle. The mounting of the brush hasgenerally been accomplished by fastening means, such as bolts, screws,etc., which have been either threaded into thenozzle or caused to passthrough it.

Complications arise when the brush is to be located directly in thesuction passage of the nozzle rather than located at the back edge ofthe nozzle and outside of the direct path of the suction. Further,difficulties are encountered when the nozzle is made of a plastic orrubberlike material since these materials generally do not havesuflicient holding ability for threaded fasteners and the. drilling ofholes in the plastic or rubber materials causes. weakening of thestructure. Also, some of the brush mounting arrangements proposed havebeen satisfactory from a mechanical or operating standpoint but haveresulted in the nozzles being objectionable from an appearancestandpoint. v

In accordance with the present invention, the difiiculties mentionedabove are overcome, and an improved brush mounting arrangement isprovided for a cleaning tool by which the brush is disposed intermediatethe suction opening. Also, a resilient mounting for the brush isprovided which can be adjusted so that the desired amount of projectionof the brush with respect to the working face of the tool is readilyobtainable. In addition, the invention provides an improved brushmounting arrange ment which can be incorporated in a suction nozzlewithout drilling or machining holes or cavities in the suction nozzle.Further, an improved brush mounting is provided which does not weakenthe nozzle and is simple in its construction and easy and low in costtomanufacture.

The present invention also provides a cleaning tool which has anaesthetically acceptable appearance and which is characterized by thesimplicity of its components and the ease of manufacture and assemblythereof.

The specific nature of the present invention, as well as otheradvantages thereof, will become apparentto those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description and the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of the cleaning tool embodying the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along line 2-2 of Figure1, illustrating the particular brush mounting arrangement of the presentinvention.

Figure 3 is a further enlarged view of the mounting arrangement takenalong line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the brushassembly showing the spring clip.

Figure 5 is an enlarged front elevation of the spring clip.

- tion opening of the nozzle.

2,932,055 Patented Aer. 12 1950 ice As herein shown, a suction cleaningtool comprises an air conduit 10 and a suction nozzle 11, having endportions 12 and 13 and longitudinal side portions 14 and 15 which definean elongated suction opening 16 and a sue tion passage to connect withair conduit 10, which in turn is connected to a suction source.

Extending'transversely from the walls of the suction passage are pairsof cooperating ribs 17, 18, 33, and 34. These ribs are positioned inopposing relationship on the sides of the nozzle between the central airconduit and the ends of the suction opening of the nozzle. Preferably,the pairs of cooperating ribs are'so positioned that, as describedhereinafter, brush mounting brackets can be located near the ends of thebrush.

The distance between the pairs of ribs 17 and 18 is such that arcuatespring clips 19 and 20 positioned be tween the respective pairs of ribs17 and 18 are held in position by frictional contact against the sidesof ribs 17 and 18. The spring clips 19 and 20 have pairs of ear portions21 and 22 which frictionally engage the sides of the ribs 17 and 18. Toaid in the frictional engagement, the ear portions 21 and 22 havestruckup centers 37 which resiliently press against the sides of theribs.

The spring clips 1% and 20 overlap each other at the top of the suctionpassage. In the zone of overlapping, the spring clips 21 and 22 haveapertures which engage stud 23 depending from the top portion of thenozzle. The stud 23 and the ribs 17 and 18 cooperate to maintain thespring clips 19 and 20 in operative position.

A strip brush 25 is provided for mounting in the suc The strip brushcomprises bristles secured around a suitable wire and held in positionby means of a channel-shaped, elongated holding member. To the elongatedchannel-shaped holding'member of the strip brush are aflixed supportingbrackets24' and 32. This brush assembly is secured to the spring clips;

19, 20 by bolts 26, 27 through threaded apertures 28, 29 of the quickfastener type in the spring clips 19 and 20.

One end of a suitable spring, such as helical spring 30, is positionedover the stud 23 depending from the top of; the suction nozzle and theother end over a stud 31 extending from the top of the supportingbracket 24 of the brush assembly. The helical spring 30 maintains anoutward thrust against the brush assembly to hold the brush member 25 inan outwardly extending position with re-- spect to the suction nozzle.

In a similar manner, supporting bracket 32 is fastened" spring (notshown).

According to the present invention, the brush member is resilientlymounted in such a manner that it is permitted to move bodily in itsplane and parallel to the side walls of the nozzle. As stated above, thesprings maintain the brush member in an outwardly extending position andthe extent of movement of the brush assembly is con trolled by the bolts26, 27, 35 and 36. The extent of projection of the brush assembly may beincreased or decreased by positioning these bolts in the threadedapertures of the spring clips. As the brush member becomes Worn throughuse, adjustment of the bolts may be made to obtain the desired amount ofprojection of the brush member.

When the brush member becomes so worn that it must be replaced,replacement may beeasily accomplished by disengaging the bolts 26, 27,35 and 36, removing the old brush assembly, inserting a new brushassemblyv and refengagingthe bolts.

The suction cleaning tool body comprising air conduit especiallyapplicable to nozzles made of a plastic or rub ber-like material, it mayalso be useful with nozzles made.

'from a light metal, such as an aluminum alloy, etc.

As stated above, the present invention provides an improved brushmounting arrangement for a suction cleaning tool which is of simpleconstruction and can be easily manufactured and assembled at low cost.Furthermore, the present invention provides an arrangement for mountinga brush without drilling or machining holes into the nozzle.

Also, the present invention provides a brush mounting arrangement whichpermits the brush to be mounted intermediate of the suction opening andin thedirect path of the suction. This construction causes the dirtagitated by the brush to be sucked into the vacuum cleaner irrespectiveof the direction in which the suction nozzle is moving during thecleaning operation. As a result, the suction tool of the presentinvention operates more efficiently and with less effort on the part ofthe user compared with conventional suction tools having the brushlocated at the back part of the nozzle and outside of the direct suctionpath.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described with regard tothe preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that various modifications may be made and suchmodifications are intended to be within the scope of the invention asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

Y 1. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside walls defining a work face provided with an elongated suctionopening, said suction opening extending upwardly to form a suctionpassage through said tool, pairs of cooperating ribs extendingtransversely into said passage from the side walls of the nozzle, springclips disposed between and in frictional contact with said ribs, anelongated brush positioned in said suction opening intermediate saidside walls, a supporting bracket receiving and holding said brush, saidbrush supporting bracket having outwardly extending flanges, meansattaching the flanges of said brush supporting bracket to said springclips for limited movement normal to said work face, resilient meanspositioned between said spring cllps and said brush supporting bracket,said brush being maintained in an outwardly extending position by saidresilient means.

2. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside walls defining a work face provided with an elongated suctionopening, said suction opening extending toward the top portion of saidnozzle to form a suction passage through said tool into an air conduit,pairs of cooperating ribs extending transversely into said passage fromthe side walls of the nozzle, overlapping spring clips disposed betweenand in frictional contact with said ribs, an elongated brush positionedin said suction opening intermediate said side walls, means supportingthe brush disposed on the sides of the nozzle between the air conduitand the ends of the nozzle, said means comprising supporting bracketsreceiving and holding said brush, each of said brush supporting bracketshaving outwardly extending flanges, means attaching the flanges of saidbrush supporting bracket tosaid spring clips for limited movement normalto said work face, said spring clips having threaded apertures thereinsecuring said attaching means, a helical spring positioned between saidoverlapping portion of said spring clips and said brush supportingbracket to maintain said brush in an outwardly extending position.

3. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside walls defining a work face provided with an elongated suctionopening, said suction opening extending toward the top portion of saidnozzle to form a suction passage through said tool into an air conduit,pairs of cooperating ribs extending transversely into said passage fromthe side walls of the nozzle, overlapping spring clips positionedbetween and in frictional contact with said ribs, said spring clipsbeing maintained in a substantially fixed position by the contact withsaid ribs and restraining means extending inwardly from said nozzle, anelongated brush positioned in said suction opening intermediate saidside walls, means supporting the brush disposed on the sides of thenozzle between the air conduit and the ends of the nozzle, said meanscomprising supporting brackets receiving and holding said brush neareach end thereof, each of said brush supporting brackets havingoutwardly extending flanges, means attaching the flanges of said brushsupporting bracket to said spring clips for limited movement normal tosaid work face, resilient means positioned between said spring clips andsaid brush supporting bracket, said brush being maintained in anoutwardly extending position by said resilient means.

4. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside walls defining a work face provided with an elongated suctionopening, said suction opening extending toward the top portion of saidnozzle to form a suction passage through said tool into an airconduit,pairs of cooperating ribs extending transversely into said passage fromthe side walls of the nozzle, overlapping spring clips positionedbetween and in frictional contact with said ribs, said spring clipsbeing maintained in a substantially fixed position by the contact withsaid ribs and a stud 7 extending inwardly from said nozzle, an elongatedbrush positioned in said suction opening intermediate said side walls,means supporting the brush disposed on the sides of the nozzle betweenthe air conduit and the ends of the nozzle, said means comprisingsupporting brackets receiving and holding said brush near each endthereof, each of said brush supporting brackets having outwardlyextending flanges, means attaching the flanges of said brush supportingbracket to said spring clips for limited movement normal to said workface, said spring clips having threaded apertures therein securing saidattaching means, a helical spring one end of which is positioned oversaid stud and maintaining said overlapping portions of said spring clipsin a substantially fixed position and the opposing end being positionedagainst said brush supporting bracket to maintain said brush in anoutwardly extending position.

5. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside walls defining a work face provided with an elongated suctionopening, said suction opening extending toward the top portion of saidnozzle to form a suction passage through said tool into an air conduit,pairs of cooperating ribs extending transversely into said passage fromthe side walls of the nozzle, overlapping areuate spring clipspositioned between and in frictional contact with said ribs, said springclips having apertures in their overlapping portions, said aperturesbeing positioned over a stud, depending from the top portion of saidnozzle, anelongated brush positioned in said suction openingintermediatesaid side walls, means supporting the brush disposed on, the sides ofthe nozzle between the air conduit and the ends of the nozzle, saidmeans comprising supporting brackets receiving and holding said brushnear each end thereof, each of said brush supporting brackets havingoutwardly extending flanges, means attaching the flanges of said brushsupporting bracket to said spring clips for limited movement normal tosaid work face, resilient means positioned between said spring clips andsaid brush supporting bracket, said brush being maintained in anoutwardly extending position by said resilient means.

6. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside Walls defining a work face provided with an elongatedsuctionopening, said suction opening extending toward the top portion ofsaid nozzle to form a suction passage through saidtool into an airconduit, pairs of cooperating ribs extending transversely into saidpassage from the side walls of the nozzle, overlapping arcuate springclips positioned between and in frictional contact with said ribs, saidspring clips having apertures in their overlapping portions, saidapertures being positioned over a stud depending from the top portion ofsaid nozzle, an elongated brush positioned in said suction openingintermediate said side walls, means supporting the brush disposed on thesides of the nozzle between the air conduit and the ends of the nozzle,said means comprising supporting brackets receiving and holding saidbrush near each end thereof, each of said brush supporting bracketshaving outwardly extending flanges, means attaching said flanges of saidbrush supporting bracket to said spring clips for limited movementnormal to said work face, said spring clips having threaded aperturestherein securing said attaching means, resilient means positionedbetween said spring clips and said brush supporting bracket, said brushbeing maintained in an outwardly extending position by said resilientmeans.

7. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside walls defining a work face provided with an elongated suctionopening, said suctionopening extending toward the top portion of saidnozzle to form a suction passage through said tool into an air conduit,pairs of cooperating ribs extending transversely into said passage fromthe side walls of the nozzle, overlapping arcuate spring clipspositioned between and in frictional contact with said ribs, said springclips having apertures in their overlapping portions, said aperturesbeing positioned over a stud depending from the top portion of saidnozzle, an elongated brush positioned in said suction openingintermediate said side walls, means supporting the brush disposed on thesides of the nozzle between the air conduit and the ends of the nozzle,said means com prising supporting brackets receiving and holding saidbrush near each end thereof, each of said brush supporting bracketshaving outwardly extending flanges, means attaching the flanges of saidbrush supporting bracket to said spring clips for limited movementnormal to said work face, said spring clips having threaded aperturestherein securing said attaching means, said threaded apertures of saidspring clips being of the quick fastener type, a helical springpositioned between said overlapping portion of said spring clips andsaid brush supporting bracket to maintain said brush in an outwardlyextending position.

8. A suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle having end portions andside walls defining a work face provided with an elongated suctionopening, said suction opening extending toward the top portion of saidnozzle to form a suction passage through said tool into an air conduit,

' pairs of cooperating ribs extending transversely into said passagefrom the side walls of the nozzle, overlapping arcuate spring clipspositioned between and in frictional contact with said ribs, said springclips having apertures in their overlapping portions, said aperturesbeing positioned over a stud depending from the top portion of saidnozzle, an elongated brush positioned in said suction openingintermediate said side walls, means supporting the brush disposed on thesides of the nozzle between the air conduit and the ends of the nozzle,said means comprising supporting brackets receiving and holding saidbrush near each end thereof, each of said brush supporting bracketshaving outwardly extending flanges, means attaching the flanges of saidbrush supporting bracket to said spring clips for limited movementnormal to said work face, said spring clips having threaded aperturestherein securing said attaching means, said threaded apertures of saidspring clips being of quick fastener type, a helical spring one end ofwhich is positioned over said stud and maintaining said overlappingportions of said spring clips in a substantially fixed position and theopposing end being positioned against'said supporting member to maintainsaid brush in an outwardly extending position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,440,759 Wright Jan; 2, 1923 2,594,189 MacFarland Apr. 22, 19522,616,118 Meyerhoefer Nov. 4, 1952 2,716,254 Hoifmann et a1 Aug. 30,1955 2,734,215 Wilson Feb. 14, 1956

